Carole King – Biography, Net Worth and Where She Is Now
Carole King, born Carol Joan Klein on February 9, 1942, is one of the most influential singer-songwriters in American music history. With over 118 Billboard Hot 100 hits to her name and a legendary solo career launched by the 1971 album Tapestry, she shaped the sound of a generation. But where is Carole King now? This article traces her life, career, relationships, and lasting legacy.
From penning timeless classics in the Brill Building to becoming the first person inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twice—as a songwriter and as a performing artist—King’s story is one of extraordinary talent, resilience, and quiet activism. She currently lives in Idaho and remains involved in environmental causes.
This comprehensive guide answers the most common questions about Carole King: her net worth, marriages, famous songs, friendship with James Taylor, touring status, and where she is today.
Where is Carole King Now?
February 9, 1942 (age 83)
Estimated $70 million
Rick Evers (1977–1978, widowed); also married to Gerry Goffin, Charles Larkey, Rick Sorenson
“You’ve Got a Friend” (written by King, made famous by James Taylor)
Key Insights about Carole King’s Life and Career
- Carole King is one of the most successful female songwriters of the 20th century, with 25 solo albums and over 100 songs written or co-written.
- Her album Tapestry (1971) spent 302 weeks on the Billboard 200 and remains one of the best-selling albums of all time.
- King’s personal life has been marked by four marriages, including a creative partnership with Gerry Goffin that produced dozens of hits.
- She has been a longtime environmental activist and currently resides in Idaho.
- Her relationship with James Taylor produced iconic collaborations and a lasting friendship.
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Carol Joan Klein |
| Born | February 9, 1942, Manhattan, New York City |
| Occupation | Singer, songwriter, pianist, author, environmental activist |
| Years Active | 1958–present |
| Genres | Pop, rock, folk, soft rock |
| Notable Awards | 4 Grammy Awards, inducted into Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (2021) |
| Children | Louise, Sherry, Molly; stepdaughter Mary |
| Current Residence | Idaho, near the Sawtooth Mountains |
Carole King now lives on a ranch in Idaho, far from the Hollywood spotlight. According to Britannica, she moved there after her second divorce and became deeply involved in wilderness preservation. She continues to make music and support environmental causes. Her official website, CaroleKing.com, lists her most recent activities and advocacy work.
Who is Carole King’s Spouse and What is Her Relationship with James Taylor?
Marriages and Family
King has been married four times. Her first husband, Gerry Goffin, was her lyricist partner; they married in 1959 and divorced in 1968. Together they wrote iconic songs like “Will You Love Me Tomorrow” and “(You Make Me Feel) Like a Natural Woman.” After Goffin, she married bassist Charles Larkey (1970–1976), then manager Rick Evers (1977–1978, who died of a drug overdose), and finally Rick Sorenson (1982–1989). Information about her current romantic relationship status is private.
King has two daughters from her marriage to Goffin—Louise and Sherry—and a third daughter, Molly, from her marriage to Larkey. She also has a stepdaughter, Mary. The family moved to Los Angeles after her divorce from Goffin and later settled in Idaho, as noted by The Forward.
King has spoken about surviving abusive relationships, particularly during her marriage to Rick Evers. After his death, she lived in seclusion in Idaho and focused on raising her children and environmental advocacy.
The James Taylor Connection
After moving to Los Angeles in 1968, King formed a close musical partnership with James Taylor. She played piano and sang on his 1970 album Sweet Baby James and toured with him. Taylor’s version of King’s song “You’ve Got a Friend” became a major hit. In 2010, the duo embarked on the Troubadour Reunion world tour, following sold-out shows at the Troubadour in Los Angeles. The tour was released as the RIAA gold-certified Live At The Troubadour CD/DVD.
Their friendship is often cited as one of the most enduring creative collaborations in popular music. According to her official biography, King and Taylor continue to support each other’s work.
What Are Carole King’s Most Famous Songs?
Carole King wrote or co-wrote 118 songs that charted on the Billboard Hot 100 and 61 songs that reached the UK charts. She is the most successful female songwriter on UK singles charts from 1962 to 2005. More than 400 of her compositions have been recorded by over 1,000 artists, resulting in 100 hit singles.
Iconic Songs from Her Brill Building Era
- “Will You Love Me Tomorrow” – The Shirelles (1960)
- “(You Make Me Feel) Like a Natural Woman” – Aretha Franklin (1967)
- “The Loco-Motion” – Little Eva (1962)
- “Up on the Roof” – The Drifters (1962)
Breakthrough Solo Hits from Tapestry
- “It’s Too Late”
- “I Feel the Earth Move”
- “You’ve Got a Friend” (written by King, first recorded by James Taylor)
- “So Far Away”
King wrote the song in 1971 as a reflection of unconditional friendship. James Taylor recorded it before she did, and it became a defining hit for both artists. King described the song in her memoir A Natural Woman as coming from a very real place.
What Is “A Natural Woman” About?
Co-written with Gerry Goffin, “(You Make Me Feel) Like a Natural Woman” was inspired by the feeling of completeness in a relationship. Aretha Franklin’s iconic recording made it an anthem of empowerment. The song was later featured in the 2014 film adaptation of the Broadway musical Beautiful, which tells King’s story.
Is Carole King Still Touring?
Carole King has not announced any tour dates for 2025 or beyond. Her last major tour was the Troubadour Reunion with James Taylor in 2010. She has performed occasional one-off shows since then, including a 2012 appearance at the Democratic National Convention and a 2014 concert in Idaho. However, she has not formally retired and continues to make music. According to Britannica, she remains active in environmental advocacy and occasionally writes or records.
Fans looking for updates should monitor her official website and social media. No 2025 tour schedule currently exists.
What is the Timeline of Carole King’s Life and Career?
- 1942 – Born Carol Joan Klein in Manhattan.
- 1958 – First recording session with The Tokens.
- 1960 – Marries Gerry Goffin; begins songwriting partnership.
- 1962 – Writes “Will You Love Me Tomorrow” (with Goffin) for The Shirelles.
- 1971 – Releases Tapestry album, becomes a solo star.
- 1971 – Writes “You’ve Got a Friend” for James Taylor.
- 1977 – Marries Rick Evers; he dies in 1978.
- 1982 – Moves to Idaho; turns focus to environmental activism.
- 2012 – Performs at the Democratic National Convention.
- 2021 – Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame for the second time.
- 2024 – Last public performance; continues advocacy work.
What Is Known and What Remains Uncertain About Carole King’s Current Life?
| Established Information | Information That Remains Unclear |
|---|---|
| Carole King is alive and resides in Idaho. | Exact current net worth fluctuates with streaming royalties; no official statement. |
| She is no longer actively touring (last major tour in 2010). | Whether she plans any future performances is unclear; she has not announced retirement. |
| Her net worth is estimated at $70 million based on album sales and royalties. | Details of her current romantic relationship status are private. |
Public sources such as Britannica and The Forward do not explicitly state Carole King’s current net worth. The $70 million estimate comes from industry analysis and is not confirmed by King or her representatives.
How Did Carole King Shape Popular Music and Culture?
Carole King’s songwriting partnership with Gerry Goffin produced dozens of hits for other artists, forming the “Brill Building” sound of the 1960s. Her solo album Tapestry broke barriers for female singer-songwriters and remains a touchstone of the genre. The album spent 15 weeks at No. 1 and stayed on the charts for six years.
King’s environmental activism, including her opposition to mining in Idaho’s Boulder-White Clouds area, has been a major part of her later life. She received the Gershwin Prize for Popular Song from the Library of Congress in 2013, the first woman to do so. Her story inspired the Broadway musical Beautiful, which opened in 2013.
Comparisons with other iconic singer-songwriters from the same era are natural. For more on another legendary artist, read the Bob Dylan – Complete Guide. And for a deep dive into the life of a fellow music giant, see Paul McCartney – Biography, Net Worth, and 2025 Tour News.
What Do Carole King and Others Say About Her Work?
“I think the most important thing is to be true to yourself.”
— Carole King, interview with Rolling Stone, 1971
“Carole King is the most gifted songwriter of her generation.”
— James Taylor, BBC interview, 2012
“You’ve Got a Friend is a song about unconditional friendship, and it came from a very real place.”
— Carole King, memoir A Natural Woman, 2012
What Is Carole King’s Lasting Legacy?
Carole King remains a towering figure in American music, revered for her songwriting depth and her landmark album Tapestry. She is a four-time Grammy winner, a two-time Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee, and a Kennedy Center Honoree. Now living in Idaho, she continues to inspire through her music and her environmental advocacy. For more on the era’s songwriting genius, read the Bob Dylan – Complete Guide and Paul McCartney – Biography, Net Worth, and 2025 Tour News.
Frequently Asked Questions About Carole King
What is Carole King’s real name?
Her birth name is Carol Joan Klein.
How old is Carole King?
She was born February 9, 1942, making her 83 years old as of 2025.
How many children does Carole King have?
She has three daughters: Louise, Sherry, and Molly, plus a stepdaughter Mary.
What is Carole King’s most famous song?
She is best known for writing “You’ve Got a Friend” (made famous by James Taylor) and performing “It’s Too Late” and “I Feel the Earth Move.”
Did Carole King write all her own songs?
She wrote or co-wrote most of her songs, often with Gerry Goffin and Toni Stern.
Is Carole King still married?
Her fourth husband, Rick Evers, died in 1978. She has not remarried publicly.
What is Carole King’s net worth in 2025?
Estimated at $70 million, derived from record sales, royalties, and tours. The figure is not officially confirmed.
Where does Carole King live now?
She lives in Idaho, near the Sawtooth Mountains, and is an environmental activist.
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